Thousands of young prospective missionaries have responded enthusiastically to the October 2012 announcement by President Thomas S. Monson that lowered the age requirement for missionary service. As was indicated at the time of the announcement and reiterated later, the Church is working to accommodate the increase in the number of new missionaries who have made plans to serve.
In addition to the previously announced changes in time spent at the missionary training center (MTC) and a new MTC in Mexico, some of the 347 existing missions will be divided to form an additional 58 missions.
- Sister Missionaries
- Mormon Missionaries
- Over 52,000 missionaries serve around the world for no pay and at their own expense
- Elder Kevin W. Pearson addresses new missionaries at the Missionary Training Centre in Auckland, New Zealand last week.
- Bishop Matt Murray with three young men in his ward.
- Samoa missionaries Cyclone Evan cleanup 1
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
The Church periodically opens, closes and divides missions around the world to accommodate increases and decreases in missionary numbers and other needs. The new missions will function in the same areas covered by existing missions. No new countries or territories are opening to missionary work. These creations will bring the total number of Church missions to 405.
Read more at the global edition of Mormon Newsroom.